If The Jackson Way members have their way, the next JCB Neighborfest could be a real blast.
A brassy blast. Or perhaps a passionate, horn-to-be-wild experience.
All courtesy of an extra, three-piece, added wind section that will facilitate a great groove from the sounds of Kool and the Gang to Stevie Wonder to Bruno Mars. The normally five-member group known as a party band figures it can trumpet even more a festive environment with the additional instruments at the Columbus Area Arts Council’s free street dance from 6 to 8:30 Aug. 2 in front of The Commons downtown.
“We really want to emphasize a little bit more of the show (part of the performance),” said drummer Shawn Charlton.
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And attendees of the gathering also organized by Fun On Fourth can expect the performance to include perhaps classic rock from The Beatles, pop from Justin Timberlake, country from Luke Combs and even hip hop from artists such as Nelly or R. Kelly.
Such an eclectic mix allows followers to see and hear a different style of show each time, according to band members. Most members of the group grew up listening to a wide genre of music. The drummer’s bassist-vocalist dad, Scott Charlton, nurtured his son’s musical instincts so early that the youngster at age 7 and was running lights for his dad’s touring band by age 8.
So the percussionist never has seen performances as any real form of work, despite the obvious discipline involved.
“At just about any show,” Shawn Charlton said, “we’re up there having the time of our lives.”
The band likes to perform its cover material as close to the original recording as possible — and appearances at past local gatherings such as the Johnson Witkemper Insurance Biggest Block Party Ever demonstrated that imitation reigns as the most sincere form of flattery.
Yet, the group, also including lead singer Nate Orme, lead guitarist Michael Rohr and keyboard player Jordan Roberts, does make exceptions.
“Occasionally, though, we still like to jam on a few things,” Shawn Charlton said. “So you might hear a song one way on one weekend, and then the next, depending upon the crowd, you might hear the same song with a different solo. We generally play songs in such a way that people can easily dance and sing to them.”
Orme remembers growing up listening to a heavy emphasis of Motown and soul, from The Temptations to The Four Tops. In fact, for the longest time, The Temptations were so much his heroes that, when he saw them live in 2001, he “was head over heels,” as he recalled.
“I really enjoyed a lot of the groups with strong vocal harmonies,” Orme said, referring to bands ranging from The Beatles to The Beach Boys.
The group is willing to risk and experiment a bit. Recently, during an appearance at a local nightspot, a wedding party in the venue called out a request for Whitney Houston’s high-energy hit, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” The group never had played it. But Orme knew the lyrics, so band members quickly cut loose, much to the satisfaction of the crowd.
Somehow, the song seems fitting for Orme.
“I have a hard time standing still,” he said. “And I do like to dance.”
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Who: Local quintet cover band The Jackson Way, with an added three-person horn section.
What: The Columbus Area Arts Council’s monthly summertime JCB Neighborfest street dance. Fun On Fourth also is a part of organizing the event.
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 2.
Where: Outdoors in front of The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
Admission: Free.
Food and drink: A full bar, including beer and wine, will be available in front of The Commons. Food from The Savory Swine also will be available.
Information: artsincolumbus.org.
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